Panel: Govt meddling added to Japan nuclear crisis

By Mari Yamaguchi

Published June 9, 2012 2:19pm ET

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Panel: Govt meddling added to Japan nuclear crisis — Protesters shout slogans during an anti-nuclear plant rally in front of the Prime Minister's office in Tokyo, Friday, June 8, 2012 shortly after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said Japan must restart two nuclear reactors to protect the economy and people's livelihoods in a news conference. Noda said in the news conference broadcast live to the nation that the government has taken ample measures to ensure the safety of the two reactors at the Ohi nuclear plant in western Japan. The banners read "We strongly oppose restarting of the Ohi nuclear plant." (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye) | Itsuo Inouye

TOKYO (AP) — A panel investigating Japan’s nuclear disaster said Saturday that the ex-prime minister and his aides caused confusion at the height of last year’s crisis by heavily interfering in the damaged and leaking plant’s operation.

Shuya Nomura, a member of the parliamentary panel, said that Naoto Kan’s aides made numerous calls to the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant, often asking basic questions and distracting workers, thus causing more confusion.

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